The Air India employees’ strike had led to large-scale disruption of flights of Air India (domestic). Well over 100 flights were cancelled by the airline during the 30-hour strike even as about 13,000 passengers were affected by the strike that cost the airline about Rs 12 crores. Air India sources said it could take between two to four days to ensure complete flight operations normalcy, considering the large-scale cancellation of flights. Air India (domestic) will operate 78 flights on Thursday.
Slamming the “irresponsible” strike by union-members of ACEU and AIAEA, civil aviation minister Praful Patel had authorised the Air India management to take tough action against the striking employees. “Since there has been such irresponsible action on their (striking employees) part, the management of the airline is free to take all appropriate steps. They (management) are going to respond, if necessary with strong measures. They must respond adequately,” the civil aviation minister had said before the strike was called off.The government was also upset that the strike had been called when all Air India flights had been booked fully on account of the summer vacations rush. In the wake of the strike, the government was also monitoring the fare-levels amid fears that the air-fares could rise drastically due to the peak summer holiday season. The Delhi high court stayed the strike till July 13. It also directed AIEU not to go ahead with its scheduled strike from May 31. Issuing notices to the striking employees union, Justice Rajiv Shakdher posted the matter for further hearing till July 13. The court passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the National Aviation Company of India Ltd.